All Quiet on the Eastern Front?

Clarets gossip is thin on the ground at the moment which probably has more to do with the fact that the lads are currently out of the country on their Singapore Tour. Today however at 10am UK time they play their first match of their three game tour when they will face Gombak United. Gombak ply their trade in the Singapore S League and are currently in fifth spot.

One player that will definitely play is Tyrone Mears who missed out on the two opening friendlies in the UK against Bury and Oldham due to a slight hamstring injury. Martin Paterson however will remain sidelined due to a tight Achilles picked up in training recently.

Clarets Youth Team Goalkeeping Coach, Craig Mawson (pictured above) who has been drafted into the squad as cover for Brian Jensen might also relish the chance of a run-out. Diego Penny is out injured and didn`t travel to the Far East and Brian Laws has so far been unable to bring in Newcastle keeper, Fraser Forster on a season-long loan. Mawson started his career as a keeper for the Clarets before playing for Halifax Town, Morecambe and Hereford United. The 31 year old currently plays for Hyde United as well as working at Turf Moor. Hyde manager, Neil Tolson has been good enough to release Mawson from his duties despite the fact they had a friendly against Manchester City at the weekend.

The keeper saga behind the scenes continues though with Laws now admitting he may have to look elsewhere after so far failing to bring in Forster from Newcastle. The 22-year-old was lined up for a loan move to Turf Moor but Newcastle boss, Chris Hughton recently told the media:

‘If he is going to go out on loan we want him to be playing.

‘It`s important he goes somewhere where he is playing football matches and I think that is the same with anyone we let go out on loan this season.

‘We want them to be put in a starting position when they go there. If it doesn`t work out and they lose their place, that`s different. That`s down to their form and that`s normal.’

Laws however has indicated that the loan may be on hold because of injuries at St James’ Park.

‘We understand Newcastle’s predicament, he said.

‘They can’t let Fraser leave until they have assessed that situation; we’re waiting to see how that develops”

Meanwhile back at the ranch, defender Kevin Long has completed his trail at MK Dons and is now at Carlisle. The 19-year-old will train with Greg Abbott’s side over the next few days and could feature in Friday’s friendly against Darlington. Brian Laws is prepared to release the former Cork player on a season-long loan.